Robinson Range

Sinosteel Midwest is in the early stages of exploration at its Robinson Range project, approximately 120km north of Meekatharra, in Western Australia, which it is developing for iron ore and manganese potential.

A detailed mapping and surface sampling program produced rock chip samples which returned average assay ranges of 59.2% to 63.4% Fe with acceptable levels of deleterious contaminant elements occurring over substantial strike lengths.

Although these results represent the early stage of exploration, it is noteworthy that the surface samples imply that further exploration is justified over a substantial area. Additionally, Robinson Range's proximity to Jack Hills and Weld Range means that any economic Mineral Resource confirmed at Robinson Range could be transported using the same rail and port infrastructure available to transport Weld Range and Jack Hills ore.

Sinosteel Midwest signed an historic Heritage Agreement with the Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation in November 2008. This agreement reflects the company's strong commitment to working with local Indigenous groups to ensure that its projects are developed in a sustainable and culturally acceptable manner.

A drilling campaign to delineate a hematite resource at Robinson Range commenced in 2009.

Sinosteel Midwest has also acquired ML52/244 at Robinson Range which is a known previous source of high grade manganese in the Robinson Range area. Sinosteel Midwest has identified other mineralised outcrops of manganese on tenements at Robinson Range. The company will be evaluating the opportunities to develop a small scale manganese mining operation using the existing infrastructure at Geraldton Port for the current Koolanooka/Blue Hills operation.

Drilling for manganese commenced in April 2009 with an initial resource expected in September 2009 with production planned to commence in July 2010.

Sinosteel Midwest has also purchased the iron ore rights at EL 52/1529 from Montezuma Mining Company Limited, based in an area known for its hematite iron ore, which will add to the company's hematite project at Robinson Range.

To download a fact sheet on Robinson Range, click here.